Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed sadness after "returning" to Parliament, because of what is transpiring within its walls.
"I think I might have been here for some social events (after retirement in 2003), but this is the first time I am visiting the new building.
"It looks very (nice). It is a fantastic building, but I don't feel happy. I feel sad. The building is okay, but the content is not," Mahathir told reporters after attending an opposition meeting to discuss the erosion of parliamentary immunity.
The meeting was called after police began investigating three former cabinet ministers for their speeches in the Dewan Rakyat.
Mahathir, who is chairperson of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), said he was "very sad" because Parliament was not what it once was.
"During the time of Tunku Abdul Rahman, we were free. We had opposition parties, but it doesn't mean we arrest or detain them, except when they break the law or try to instigate (racial issues).
"Otherwise, there was no action taken against anyone, including those who called me mahazalim, mahafiraun and all that. It is all right. Even if they want to call me that now, it is all right," he added.
Asked about Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia's promise to institute parliamentary reforms, Mahathir said he does not foresee a positive outcome.
"Parliamentary reforms involve changing, but it may change for the worse. In the future, based on how he is behaving now, he may ban all debates on everything.
"You can just go (to the Dewan Rakyat) and be a government supporter. Just say yes to everything. I guess that is reform, too," he added.
Former cabinet ministers Muhyiddin Yassin and Shafie Apdal also attended the 90-minute long meeting.- Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.